Lipscomb golf coach Buddy Harston finished tied for third place in last weekend’s U.S. Open Local Qualifier tournament at the Maketewah Country Club in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Harston shot an even par 72 during the round and finished just one stroke behind the leader.

With a third-place showing in the qualifier, Harston advances to the Regional Qualifier, for a chance to play in the 111th U.S. Open June. 13-19 in Bethesda, Md.

“The local qualifier at Maketewah Country Club is actually the biggest local qualifier in the country,” Harston said. “They had 168 players.”

Harston’s third place finish in the local qualifier makes him eligible to compete in the regional tournament on June 6 in Columbus, Ohio. The regional will be held at the Brookside Golf and Country Club as well as the Lakes Golf and Country Club.

“The next stop is 36 holes in one day,” Harston said. “That is more than just golf, you also have to be in shape to handle that much tournament golf in one day.”

“I have been to the regional tournament six or seven times but I have never gotten past the regional,” Harston said. “I have played in the U.S. Senior Open twice, but I have never played in the U.S. Open.”

Harston said he would spend the next few weeks working on his golf game and his endurance as he prepares for the grueling qualifier.

“I’m trying to play a lot and work on my short game,” Harston said. “It is the same kind of thing I teach my players. Now I am just trying to coach myself.”